Big Cypress National Preserve | MONUMENT LAKE CAMPGROUND

Camping at Monument Lake in Big Cypress National Preserve

Camping at Monument Lake in Big Cypress National Preserve


See the Campgrounds web page for an interactive location map.


CAMPING SEASON

Monument Lake Campground is typically open from mid-August until mid-April. Opening and closing dates can always change, so before making travel plans be sure to visit Big Cypress National Preserve’s Campgrounds web page for the latest schedule.

TYPE OF CAMPING

Monument Lake Campground can accommodate tent campers, RVs, and other self-contained sleeping vehicles. Each campsite has a limit of six people and two vehicles, one of which can be an RV. For a complete list of camping regulations, see Big Cypress National Preserve’s Campground Rules and Regulations web page.

Lakeshore campsites at Monument Lake Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

Lakeshore campsites at Monument Lake Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

NUMBER OF CAMPSITES

Monument Lake Campground has 26 RV sites and 10 tent sites. Since there are no electric or water hook-ups, the distinction is not very important. What this ultimately means is that RV sites are open to everyone, including tent campers, while the tent sites are for tents only and are designed to give tent campers a place of their own away from the noisy RVs.

Tent area at Monument Lake Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

Tent area at Monument Lake Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

TERRAIN

Satellite view of Monument Lake Campground at Big Cypress National Preserve

Satellite view of Monument Lake Campground at Big Cypress National Preserve

Monument Lake Campground is situated around Monument Lake. Tent sites are located on the west side in an open field with a few palm trees scattered about. The area is level and covered in soft grass. There is plenty of room for tents. In fact, it’s not really clear where one site ends and another begins.

Tent site at Monument Lake Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

Tent site at Monument Lake Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

RV sites are located along the northern and eastern shore of Monument Lake. The terrain is completely flat, and there is little to no privacy between the campsites. North end campsites have back-in parking spaces and are separated from each other by two shade trees, though the shade they provide is far from complete. These sites are on the outside of the loop road, not along the lake shore.

Back-in sites on the north end of Monument Lake, Big Cypress National Preserve

Back-in sites on the north end of Monument Lake, Big Cypress National Preserve

RV sites on the east side of the lake span both sides of the road. In most cases, parking is done along the shore and a picnic table is on the opposite side of the road. Palm trees have been planted to mark off campsite boundaries. However, despite being right next to the lake, not all sites have views of the water due to heavy brush in some areas.

RV section on the east side of Monument Lake in Big Cypress National Preserve

RV section on the east side of Monument Lake in Big Cypress National Preserve

Heavy brush often blocks the view of Monument Lake in Big Cypress National Preserve

Heavy brush often blocks the view of Monument Lake in Big Cypress National Preserve

Four campsites for the campground hosts and maintenance staff are located next to the restroom building near the tent sites.

Campground host area near the modern restroom at Monument Lake Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

Campground host area near the modern restroom at Monument Lake Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

AMENITIES

Monument Lake Campground is the second most popular campground in Big Cypress National Preserve, and while it does not have electricity at the campsites as does Midway Campground, at least it has a modern restroom with running water and flush toilets (no showers). These two campgrounds are the only ones in the park that have such an amenity. The modern restroom is located on the west side of the lake near the tent sites. There is also a fancy outhouse on the east side. A fancy outhouse is what I call a pit toilet located in a permanent building versus the plastic, portable toilets common at construction sites.

All campsites have a picnic table, but only the tent sites have a grill / fire ring.

There is a cell tower at the campground, so phone service is excellent.

A day use area for picnicking is located near the campground entrance and is open to everyone, not just campers. However, there is only one picnic table, so essentially the day use area is nothing but a small field where you can spread out a blanket and have a picnic on the ground. Kids can also use the field as a play area.

Day use picnic area at Monument Lake in Big Cypress National Preserve

Day use picnic area at Monument Lake in Big Cypress National Preserve

At the north end of the campground is a backcountry road which allows those with swamp buggies and ATVs to access the Corn Dance Backcountry Unit (off-road permit required). Parking for trailers is available.

Backcountry road access at Monument Lake Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

Backcountry road access at Monument Lake Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve

Fishing is allowed in Monument Lake with the proper Florida fishing license. However, no swimming is allowed due to the presence of alligators. A warning sign states “Fish at your own risk,” so even fishermen are subject to being eaten.

Monument Lake at Big Cypress National Preserve

Monument Lake at Big Cypress National Preserve

RESERVATIONS

Reservations are required for all campsites at Monument Lake. You can make a reservation online at Recreation.gov from one day to six months in advance. From January through April the campground is likely to be full, particularly on the weekends. I visited both Monument Lake and Midway campgrounds on President’s Day in February and again in mid-January. Midway was booked solid and had been that way since Christmas. Monument Lake, on the other hand, had plenty of empty sites. Thus, it appears that RVers, who make up the bulk of campers these days, either stay at Midway or opt for the state and private parks with electricity.

During the peak season, January through the end of April, there is a 10-day maximum stay at any one campground. During the rest of the year the maximum stay is 14 days. If you want to camp beyond the maximum number of days allowed, you must do so in the backcountry, where you can camp up to 180 days a year.

FEES

The current camping fee at Monument Lake is $28 / night for RV sites and $24 / night for tent sites. The RV rate applies to anyone camping in an RV site, even if you are actually sleeping in a tent. Those with a Senior or Access Pass get half off. Keep in mind that prices can always change. The current rates are given on Recreation.gov.

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Last updated on February 24, 2023
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